Who do I allow access to my firewall?

[Guest]

I have 2 computers running Windows XP Service Pack 2,sharing a RoadRunner
connection. The biggest issue I had to deal with in setting the connection up
was working with Firewalls. I have a choice of Windows Firewall or AOL
firewall on both computers. Right now I have the AOL firewall operational
since they suggest that it could cause conflicts to keep the Windows firewall
active. My question is how do I know who to allow past the firewall? When I
check the firewall I can see that various IP addresses have been blocked. Is
there any way to tell who these IP's belong to? I don't want to block IP's
that should be allowed in, like for updates etc. Also, what about ports? Do I
need to unblock any of these? Thanks

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

I have 2 computers running Windows XP Service Pack 2,sharing a RoadRunner
connection. The biggest issue I had to deal with in setting the connection up
was working with Firewalls. I have a choice of Windows Firewall or AOL
firewall on both computers. Right now I have the AOL firewall operational
since they suggest that it could cause conflicts to keep the Windows firewall
active. My question is how do I know who to allow past the firewall? When I
check the firewall I can see that various IP addresses have been blocked. Is
there any way to tell who these IP's belong to? I don't want to block IP's
that should be allowed in, like for updates etc. Also, what about ports? Do I
need to unblock any of these? Thanks

Both of those firewalls do what you need: they prevent unsolicited
connections to your computer from unknown people on the Internet.
Both of them allow information that you request from the Internet to
get to your computer. You don't need to unblock ports or allow IP
addresses for web browsing, E-mail, updates, etc.

Running two firewalls can cause problems with Internet access. Choose
either Windows Firewall or AOL Firewall. If you choose Windows
Firewall, un-install AOL Firewall. If you choose AOL firewall,
disable Windows Firewall. In my opinion, Windows Firewall is the
better choice.

The only reason to unblock ports would be if you're running a server
on your computer (e.g. hosting your own web site) that you want
anonymous people to access.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com